The Voices We Amplify
Brand Identity, Packaging & Motion Graphics [Graphic Designer & Creative Direction]
BRIEF
The Voices We Amplify is my senior thesis project exploring the relationship between hip-hop and activism through the lens of graphic design. I developed a series of protest kits containing materials that encourage anyone to create their own protest art and use design as a tool for self-expression.
PROBLEM
I began the project knowing I wanted to explore the relationship between activism and hip-hop. Still, I needed to figure out how to translate those ideas into a meaningful design project. Through my research, I became interested in the history of hip-hop as a form of activism and community building. The challenge became finding a way to translate that history into a visual system that could encourage people to participate rather than simply observe.
INSIGHT
I spent most of my time researching for this project. I read essays, explored the history of hip-hop concert flyers, and gathered examples of protest art while simultaneously experimenting with different visual techniques. Over three weeks, I learned to hand-set type with vinyl letters, experimented with spray paint, and crafted collage posters. These experiments let me explore the handmade qualities of protest materials and develop a visual language through making.
SOLUTION
The experimentation revealed an opportunity to make the project participatory. Rather than creating a finished piece of protest art, I wanted to give people the tools to create their own. This led to the idea of protest kits designed to empower anyone to become an artist, express their perspective, and make their voice visible.
OUTCOME
The final project transformed my research and experimentation into a cohesive system built for participation. Rather than treating activism as something to simply learn about or observe, The Voices We Amplify invites people to create, communicate, and contribute their own perspectives through their own creations. The project reinforced my interest in using graphic design not only to communicate ideas, but to give people the tools to express themselves.
Let's work together!
© KIRA AJAS, 2026
